Moses Lairy

Moses Barnett Lairy (August 13, 1859 – April 9, 1927) was an American lawyer, politician, and judge who served as a justice of the Indiana Supreme Court from January 4, 1915, to January 3, 1921.

Early life, education, and career Lairy was born in Harrison Township, Cass County, Indiana to Thomas Lairy and Eliza Barnett Lairy. His family was of Irish descent and originally lived in Butler County, Ohio before moving to Lafayette, Indiana and then again to Cass County. His brother, John S. Lairy, also became a judge.

Lairy was raised on the family farm in rural Cass County. He attended local schools until age seventeen, when his father died and he took on the responsibilities of head of the household. Lairy later resumed his education at Valparaiso University (then known as the Northern Indiana Normal School). He taught at a schoolhouse in Fulton County to help fund his education.

Lairy was a Presbyterian, a Freemason, and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Lairy was a friend and mentor of future Indiana Supreme Court Justice Michael Fansler.

Barely a week after the Dearth impeachment trial, Lairy died in 1927 in Logansport.